South Africa: Jacob Zuma Barred from May Elections

In a surprising turn of events, South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has been barred from contesting in the upcoming general elections in May, according to the country’s electoral commission.

This decision comes as South Africa prepares for what is expected to be the most competitive vote since the end of apartheid in 1994.

Zuma, who was previously jailed for contempt of court in 2021, had been campaigning for the newly formed uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK) party in an attempt to relaunch his political career.

However, the electoral commission has upheld an objection against his candidacy, effectively preventing him from participating in the elections.

The specific details of the objection against Zuma have not been disclosed by the electoral commission, but it is clear that there were concerns raised about his eligibility to stand as a candidate.

Both the party that nominated him and those objecting to his candidacy have been informed of the decision.

This development comes at a crucial time for South Africa’s political landscape. The ruling African National Congress (ANC), once led by Nelson Mandela, is facing a significant challenge in maintaining its dominance.

The party is on the brink of dropping below the 50 percent threshold for the first time since it came to power in 1994.

The ANC’s declining popularity can be attributed to a combination of factors, including a weak economy, allegations of corruption, and mismanagement.

Recent polls indicate that the ANC is polling at just over 40 percent of the vote, with the main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, at around 27 percent, and the MK party at 13 percent.

If the ANC falls below the 50 percent threshold, it will be forced to form a coalition government in order to stay in power.

Zuma’s tenure as the president of South Africa came to an end in 2018 amidst a cloud of corruption allegations. He was replaced by Cyril Ramaphosa, who took office as the new president.

However, Zuma’s troubles did not end there. In June 2021, he was sentenced to 15 months in jail for refusing to testify before a panel investigating financial corruption and cronyism during his presidency.

This sparked widespread protests, riots, and looting, resulting in the deaths of over 350 people. Just two months into his prison term, Zuma was freed on medical parole. However, an appeals court later deemed his release illegal and ordered him back to jail.

Upon his return to the correctional center, Zuma benefited from a remission of non-violent offenders that had been approved by Ramaphosa.

Despite facing numerous legal challenges, Zuma still holds significant political influence and has been campaigning for the MK party, seeking to revive his career and weaken his former party, the ANC, which suspended him in January.

However, the Electoral Commission has rejected Zuma’s eligibility to stand in the upcoming elections, citing his conviction and prison sentence. The decision can be appealed until April 2.

The MK party has indicated that they will appeal the decision, stating that they are currently assessing the merit of the objection.

This potential shift in the political landscape could have far-reaching implications for South Africa’s governance and could signal a shift towards a more multi-party system.

While the exclusion of Jacob Zuma from the elections may come as a disappointment to some, it is a sign of the growing demand for accountability and transparency in South African politics.

Zuma’s time in office was marred by numerous corruption scandals and allegations of abuse of power, which ultimately led to his resignation in 2018.